Bfcsstyjis'; 


I 


Eiasifidelu  ( Swi fz ertaud) , Benziger  brothers,  FuMishers . 

We  praise  thee,  o (fneen  of  fte  mosf  holy  Rosary  ! 

(The  holy  Chur  ch .) 

Dublin  a-  London,  Janes  Dnffy 


si 


A THOUGHT 


SoiqiniGan  Saints 


Each  Day  of  the  Year. 


Translated  from  the  French 
BY 

A SISTER  OK'  CHARITY. 


NEW  YORK,  CINCINNATI,  AND  ST.  LOUIS: 

Junftger  Jlrofljcra, 

Printers  to  the  Holy  Apostolic  See. 


cfe  gfc>  efe  gfe)  <zfe  sfo  €^_ 


Copyright,  1886,  by  Benziger  Brothers. 


■SX  j-i  7? 

. wt? 


r* 


A THOUGHT 

FROM 

gaimmcan  Saints, 

--aCFnr  each  Day  of  the  Year.  Ik— 

faaaartj. 

i. 

HH  Y,  O man  ! pursue  a multitude 
of  transitory  goods  ? Love  the 
universal  Goodness,  source  of  all  good, 
and  it  suffices. — St,  Thomas  Aquinas — 
O'pusc . 61,  ch . ii, 

a. 

Life  is  short,  bestrewn  with  diffi- 
culties and  crosses ; profit  by  them  at 


5 


Q ©bought  from  gomiuirau  ^aintjs. 

every  moment.  “ The  night  cometh 
when  no  man  can  work.” — Ven.  Louis 
of  Grenada — Guide . « — 

iii. 

Prayer  is  the  only  nourishment 
which  gives  joy  and  strength  to  the 
soul.  — Life  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena . 

XV  . 

A soul  filled  with  charity  has  no 
room  for  vanity. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer 
—On  Purity  of  the  Heart. 

V ♦ 

How  many  regrets,  how  many  sighs, 
how  many  tears  are  oftentimes  the 


6 


^(2^8 


gawttat  jj. 


price  of  one  thoughtless  word  1 — Yen. 
Julienne  Morel. 

XX ♦ 

Rely  on  the  faith  vouchsafed  thee 
from  heaven,  after  the  example  of 
the  Magi,  who,  when  the  star  appeared, 
disregarded  all  the  arguments  and 
subtleties  suggested  to  them  by  the 
prudence  of  the  flesh. — Yen.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Treatise  on  the  Life  of  Jesus 
Christ . 

XXX. 

That  heart  is  indifferent  which  is 
not  consoled  and  filled  with  secret  joy 
at  the  thought  that  such  or  such  an 
event  took  place  according  to  the 
pleasure  of  the  Divine  Will. — B.  Bar- 
tholomew of  Martyrs — Comjp.  eh.  mi. 


7 


sfe  g&> 


_^>  <gfc> 


gt  efeought  from  Dominican;  ^ainto. 

ciii. 

God  is  the  Father  and  Lord  of  all. 
Is  it  not  proper  for  the  servant  to  re- 
spect his  Master,  to  serve  and  obey 
Him  with  all  possible  fidelity  ? — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena  — On  Perfection. 

XX. 

If  love  be  true  it  must  labor ; where 
labor  is  refused,  there  is  no  true  love. 
— St.  Thomas  Aquinas  — Op  use.  61, 
art.  3. 

X. 

Among  other  virtues,  strive  to  ac- 
quire meekness.  Be  affable  to  every 
one,  knowing  that  by  mildness  thou 
shalt  conquer  every  enemy. — St.  Vin- 
cent Ferrer.  — 


8 


$ a « « a v a . 


xi. 

He  who  has  Jesus  possesses  a pre- 
cious treasure.  Let  him  endeavor  to 
guard  it  with  care. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Dialogues . 

XXX . 

It  is  not  charity,  but  rather  great 
cruelty,  that  prevents  us  from  remind- 
ing a brother  of  his  faults. — Saint 
Antoninus — Letter  20. 

xiii* 

There  is  no  great  merit  in  hum- 
bling oneself  when  in  a lowly  posi- 
tion; but  self-humiliation  in  an  exalted 
station  is  a virtue  as  noteworthy  as  it 
is  rare.  — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada  — 
Christian  Doctrine . 


9 


) (gfc)  dfa 


& SUouQht  front  gominiatt  faints.  ^ 


xtv. 

Whoever  wishes  to  do  good,  and 
edify  others  by  his  words,  must, 
above  all  things,  possess  in  himself 
the  virtues  he  wrould  inculcate. — St. 
Vincent  Ferrer — Treatise  on  the  Spirit- 
ual Life. 

XV . 

Be  in  no  hurry  to  say  what  you 
think,  nor  to  show  your  learning; 
speak  little,  and  never  answer  without 
reflection. — St.  Thomas  Aquinas  — 
Opusc.  68. 

xvi. 

Short  is  the  road,  light  the  fatigue, 
but  eternal  the  rest  to  which  each  day 


W 


10 


He  who  is  not  attacked  cannot  fight, 
and  without  combat  one  cannot  gain 
the  palm  which  is  the  prize  of  the 
victor.  — Ven.  John  Tauter  — Inst  it., 
cht  xix. 

xvxxx. 


The  name  of  Jesus  is  an  impregna- 
ble rampart.  There  is  no  pearl  or 
ornament  that  can  be  compared  to  the 
Name  of  Jesus.  We  sound  the  harp’s 
sweet  harmonies  when  we  pronounce 
the  Name  of  Jesus! — B.  Hmry  Suso — 
Spiritual  Letters . 


11 


The  soul  cannot  give  herself  entirely 
to  God  without  the  aid  of  prayer. 
— Life  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 


Soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ,  be  invin- 
cible like  the  martyrs,  and  remember 
that  a man  without  courage  must  al- 
ways be  without  glory. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Spiritual  Letters . 


XXX  . 

Considerable  advantage  always  re- 
sults to  the  virtuous  from  the  war 
waged  by  vice  to  force  them  into  evil. 
— Yen.  John  Tauter — Instit.,  ch . xix. 


is 


xxxx. 


The  sheaf,  when  filled  with  grain, 
may  be  shaken  but  not  broken  by  the 
wind,  for  it  is  supported  by  its  own 
weight  ; thus  the  heart  where  Jesus 
Christ  dwells  may  be  assailed  but  not 
cast  down  by  the  winds  of  temptation. 
— B.  Jourdain  de  Saxe — Letter  21. 

xxxxx. 

If  you  wish  to  raise  a lofty  edifice  of 
perfection,  take  humility  for  your 
foundation.  — St.  Thomas  Aquinas  — 
Sermon  x. 

XXXV . 

I desire  you  to  regulate  your  life  ac- 
cording to  the  necessities  of  your  feeble 


13 


% (Thought  from  fjtfwtainttt  ^aiwtsi. 

health  ; hut  I also  exhort  you  to  hu- 
mility of  heart,  confidence  in  God,  and 
silence.  — B.  Henry  Suso  — Spiritual 
Letter s.  — 

XXV. 


Our  passions  are  cruel  and  ferocious 
beasts  ; but  once  conquered  and 
brought  into  subjection,  they  become 
very  useful  servants. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — G uide. 


xxvx. 

Affliction,  from  what  side  soever  it 
comes,  may  be  profitable  to  him  who, 
receiving  it,  as  it  were,  from  God,  re- 
fers it  to  Him  and  surmounts  it  by  His 
aid. — B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Letters. 


14 


XX  XXX. 

A troubled  and  earnest  prayer  is 
more  agreeable  to  God  than  one  made 
with  sweetness  and  tranquillity. — B. 
Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Discourse , 34. 

xxvxxx. 

The  highest  position,  the  most  noble 
profession,  is  that  of  a man  who  instils 
the  truth  in  his  fellow-men,  and  who, 
by  elevating  them,  brings  them  nearer 
to  God.  — St.  Thomas  Aquinas. 

XXXX ♦ 

Always  appear  mild  and  affable, 
without  being  too  familiar  with  any 
one  : familiarity  being  generally  fol- 
lowed by  contempt. — St.  Thomas 
Aquinas — Opusc.  68. 


15 


^ <3fe>  efe  ^ 


f{| 


gl  thought  from  gomitriratt  Jlaitttu. 


*x*. 

The  heart  where  charity  reigns  seeks 
not  its  own  interest  or  pleasure,  but 
the  pleasure  and  interest  of  God. — 
Ven.  Louis  of  Genada — Memorial. 

xxxi. 

Let  us  abandon  everything  with  en- 
tire confidence  to  the  merciful  Provi- 
dence of  God. — B.  Albert  the  Great — 
Be  Adh.  Deo , ch.  xiii. 


16 


& iftougltt  front  Dominican 

^aintis. 

gfe)  <$&  ^ (qfc)  dfe  <s%5  6%5  gfe)  (^ 
e^»  ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ej§  oft  £$T 

Jet>  *«»**}. 


t. 


| HE  cross  is  the  only  ladder  to 
Paradise  ; without  the  Cross 
the  ascent  to  heaven  is  altogether 
impossible. — St.  Bose  of  Lima . 

ii. 

Of  all  creatures,  the  highest,  the 
purest,  the  most  beautiful,  the  most 
loving,  the  most  Divine,  is  Mary !— B. 
Henry  Suso — Soliloquy . 

XXX. 

O brilliant  Light,  Divine  Word, 


17 


& ©ftjwjftt  from  gominiran  ^aintis. 

admirable  Wisdom,  spotless  Lamb, 
humility  itself,  how  cruelly  hast  Thou 
been  torn  by  those  hungry  wolves,  those 
famished  tigers  ! — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Booh  of  Wisdom , ch.  xxi. 

i v. 

Thou  shalt  be  a great  monarch  if 
thou  canst  command  thy  tongue. — Ven. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , 
ch.  ix. 

V . 

The  soul  should  never  tire  of  any 
combat,  nor  abandon  any  exercise  of 
piety  or  prayer,  even  though  she 
should  only  remain  before  the  cross 
repeating  Jesus ! Jesus ! — St.  Catherine 
of  Siena — Christian  Doctrine. 


18 


vi. 

It  ordinarily  happens  that  God  per- 
mits those  who  judge  others  to  fall 
into  the  same,  or  even  greater  faults. — 
St.  Vincent  Ferrer — Spiritual  Treatise. 

VXX. 

Love  others  much,  but  visit  them 
seldom. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena — Let- 
ter 183. 


XXXX ♦ 

Humility  is  the  shortest,  straightest, 
surest  road  by  which  to  arrive,  without 
difficulty,  at  the  love  of  God  and  the 
perfection  of  every  virtue. — Ven.  John 
Tauler — Instit. , ch.  x. 


19 


^ thought  from  Ijominican  jiaiatis. 


ix. 

When  others  fail  or  do  what  is 
wrong  before  thee,  compromise  not 
thyself  with  them,  nor  occupy  thyself 
with  their  faults. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Treatise  on  the  Union  of  the  Soul  with 
God, , 2. 

X . 

Prayer  is  a pasturage,  a field,  where- 
in all  the  virtues  find  their  nourish- 
ment, growth,  and  strength. — Life  of 
St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 

xi. 

Penance  is  a means,  not  the  end  of 
the  soul;  be  careful  not  to  measure 
perfection  by  penitential  works : virtue 


20 


and  merit  lie  in  charity. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Dialogue  11. 

xii. 

Shun  the  world,  for  it  will  deceive 
thee  : for  happiness  it  will  give  thee 
disappointment  ; for  honor,  shame  ; 
fraud  for  fidelity,  misery  for  riches, 
and  eternal  death  for  everlasting  life. 
— B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Discourse. 


x i i i • 

No  one  has  more  consolation  than 
he  who  shares  the  Saviour’s  Cross.  Di- 
vine sweetness  flows  in  abundant 
streams  for  the  soul  that  drains  the 
chalice  of  bitterness. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Book  of  Wisdom , ch.  Hi. 


1* 

!» 

i* 


21 


% thought  ftom  Dominican 


xtv. 

Open  thine  ears  to  the  voices  of 
Nature  and  thou  shalt  hear  them  in 
concert  inviting  thee  to  the  love  of 
God. — Yen . Louis  of  Grenada — Guide . 

XV. 

Let  meekness  and  peace  appear  on 
thy  countenance,  modesty  and  humil- 
ity in  all  thy  exterior ; never  give  way 
to  any  excess  of  joy  or  extreme  of 
sadness. — Yen.  John  Tauler — Instit ., 
ch . xi. 

XVX ♦ 

Man  acquires  virtue  by  the  knowl- 
edge of  himself  and  of  the  goodness 
of  God.  This  knowledge,  however, 


22 


is  more  perfect  in  time  of  temptation. 
B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  43. 

XVXX. 

Why  so  busy  with  thyself  ? Leave 
Providence  to  act,  whose  eyes  are  ever 
upon  thee  in  the  greatest  danger, 
and  who  will  always  save  thee. — Life 
of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 

xvxxx. 

Many  works  seem  full  oi  charity  ; 
but  as  the  order  of  discretion  is  not 
in  them,  so  God  is  not  in  them. — Saint 
Antoninus — Letter  1 1 . 

XXX • 

Remember  that  virtue  is  a very  high 
and  rugged  mountain,  difficult  to 


23 


<31  ehought  from  Dominican  ^aintsi. 

ascend  and  requiring  much  sweat  and 
fatigue  before  we  can  arrive  at  the 
summit  to  rest. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Spiritual  Letters , 2. 

XX. 

Jesus  Christ,  our  great  Model,  suf- 
fered much  for  us  ; let  us  bear  our 
afflictions  cheerfully,  seeing  that 
through  them  we  have  the  happiness  of 
resembling  Him. — Prayer  of  B.  Henry 
Suso. 

XXX ♦ 

Humility  is  a fortified  tower.  It 
repels  all  attacks.  The  sight  of  it 
obliges  the  enemy  to  turn  and  flee. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Ech . spir.7 
ch . x$v. 


24 


jj. 


xxii. 

The  Church  is  the  pillar  and  ground 
of  Truth  and  her  infallibility  admits  of 
no  doubt.  — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — 
Christian  Doctrine,  ch . xi. 

x x i ii  * 

In  every  creature,  however  small, 
we  may  see  a striking  image  of  the 
Divine  Wisdom,  Power,  and-Goodness. 
— Yen.  Bartholomew  of  Martyrs  — 
Comp.,  part  2. 

XXXV ♦ 


Increated  charity  of  my  God,  thou 
hast  taught  me  that  I ought  to  suffer 
patiently  like  the  lamb,  not  only  hard 
words,  but  unjust  persecution,  injuries, 


§► 

» 

lit 


25 


1 % (Thought  from  gotniuiKut  ^ahtt.o. 


-St.  Catherine  of 


and  bad  treatment !- 
Siena — Letter  219. 

XXV* 


Often  read  spiritual  books;  then, 
like  a sheep,  ruminate  the  food  thou 
hast  taken,  by  meditation  and  a de- 
sire to  practise  the  holy  doctrine 
found  therein. — St.  Antoninus — Letter 
14. 

xxvi. 

Scrupulous  persons  should  be  con- 
tent with  one  good  confessor  and 
confide  in  his  light  and  direction.  In 
the  day  of  judgment  the  penitent 
may  shield  himself  by  his  obedience 
and  submission. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Spiritual  Discourse , 4. 


2G 


Like  the  insect  which  first  gnaws 
the  tree  where  it  took  life,  so  envy 
tortures  first  the  heart  in  which  it  is 
formed. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — 
Guide. 

xx  vixx. 

Happy  he  who  speaks  little;  for 
words  beget  accidents,  gloom,  and 
interior  trouble. — B . Henry  Suso — 
Treatise  on  the  Union  of  the  Soul  with 
God. 


<pfc)  dfe 


& Iftmtgftt  from  gjjminuau 
faints. 


Patjpft. 


i. 


OOK  not  to  the  qualities  thou 
mayst  possess  which  are  want- 
ing to  others  ; but  look  to  those  which 
others  possess  and  which  are  wanting 
to  thee,  that  thou  mayst  acquire  them. 
— Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — Christian 
Doctrine , Book  2,  ch.  xin.  j 

ii. 

Come  to  my  aid,  ye  elements,  ye 
skies,  angels,  animals,  plants,  and 
flowers.  Let  us  love  God,  let  us  love 
God  ! God  is  love,  love  is  God! — 
Life  of  St.  Bose  of  Lima . 


Patch. 


m. 

It  is  good  to  be.  confounded  at  the 
thought  that  we  are  sinners  and  un- 
worthy to  speak  with  God,  but  we 
must  not  for  that  reason  cease  to  pray. 
— Ven.  Anthony  of  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment— Retreat. 

iv. 

The  path  of  virtue  is  painful  to 
nature  when  left  to  itself ; but  nature, 
assisted  by  grace,  finds  it  easy  and 
agreeable.  — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada , 
Guide , Boole  1. 

V . 

More  abundant  than  the  rivers 
which  watered  the  terrestrial  Paradise 


29 


^ thought  from  gamimiatt  -faints. 

are  the  streams  of  consolation  flowing 
over  the  earth  from  the  wounds  of  the 
Son  of  Mary. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Soliloquy . 

vi. 

If  thou  art  wise,  expect  to  die  every 
day  ; thus  thou  shall  keep  thyself  al- 
ways ready,  and  happy  to  depart  on 
that  great  journey. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Boole  of  Wisdom , ch.  xxiv . 

XXX. 


The  great  Saint  Thomas  Aquinas 
drew  more  knowledge  from  prayer, 
ecstacy,  and  the  light  of  intelligence 
than  from  the  study  of  human  science. 
— St.  Catherine  of  Siena— Dialogued. 


80 


■Panrft. 


»Hi. 

He  who  perseveres  with  constancy 
and  fervor  will,  without  fail,  raise 
himself  to  a high  degree  of  perfection. 
B.  Henry  Suso — Nine  Rocks*  2. 

XX . 


The  soul  that  belongs  to  God  knows 
and  values  His  Presence  most  when 
He  hides  Himself.  We  knowr  the  sun 
by  his  rays  when  we  can  no  longer 
see  their  source. — B . Henry  Suso — 
Book  of  Wisdom , ch,  xiv, 

X • 

Fight  beneath  the  standard  of  the 
Cross,  and  remember  that  the  blood 
of  the  martyrs  is  ever  before  God,  in- 


§> 

§ 


31 


yoking  assistance  for  thee. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  47. 

XX. 

Leave  to  every  one  the  care  of  what 
belongs  to  him,  and  disturb  not  thy- 
self wdth  what  is  said  or  done  in  the 
world. — St.  Thomas  Aquinas — Opusc. 
68. 

XXX. 

Give,  give  to  thy  soul  the  Blood  of 
Christ,  so  that,  inebriated  with  cour- 
age, thou  mayst  rush  to  the  battle-field. 
— Life  of  Saint  Catherine  of  Siena* 

xxxx. 

The  soul  that  loves  is  filled  with 
the  object  of  its  love.  For  this  reason, 


32 


if  we  love  what  is  vile  and  frail,  we 
become  vile  and  unreliable  ourselves. 
— St,  Thomas  Aquinas — Charity,  ch. 


O love  ineffable,  O flame,  0 abyss 
of  charity ! The  more  I contemplate 
Thee  in  Thy  passion,  the  more  I blush 
at  the  misery  of  my  soul,  which  is 
ignorant  of  Thee  because  it  lives  in 
the  senses. — Prayer  of  St. . Catherine 
of  Siena. 


Is  it  not  great  cruelty  for  us  Chris- 
tians, members  of  the  body  of  the 
Holy  Church,  to  attack  one  another  ? 
— St.  Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  56. 


<ofc> 


% thought  from  Dominican  Jfointe. 
xiri. 

For  the  once  that  others  may  help 
us  to  recollection,  they  will  a thousand 
times  be  a cause  of  dissipation. — Ven. 
John  Tauler — Sermons. 

x v i i . 

Be  well  convinced  of  this  truth : if 
God  gives  thee  consolation  it  is  not 
on  account  of  thy  merit,  but  through 
His  own  benignant  goodness. — Ven. 
Anthony  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament — 
Retreat. 

xvixx. 

There  is  nothing  more  certain,  noth- 
ing more  agreeable,  nothing  richer 
than  a good  conscience. — B.  Bartholo- 
mew of  Martyrs — Comp,  part  1,  ch.  mil. 


34 


Partb. 


X ix. 

Let  us  be  careful  to  meditate  often 
on  the  bitterness  of  our  Saviour’s  Pas- 
sion; not  through  routine,  languidly 
and  tepidly,  but  with  that  fervent  love 
which  plunges  us  into  His  sorrows. — 
Ven.  John  Tauler — Inst  it. , ch.  xxii. 

XX. 

In  mortal  sin  it  would  be  better  to 
receive  legions  of  devils  than  once  to 
receive  the  living  and  terrible  God. — 
B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Colloquy , 2. 

XXX . 

The  world  is  deceitful  and  incon- 
stant. When  fortune  forsakes  us, 
friendship  takes  flight. — B . Henry 
Suso — Spiritual  Discourse , 5. , 


35 


% ©bought  from  gomiaicau  sfoiato. 


xxii 


Let  all  thy  care  be  to  possess  thy 
soul  in  peace  and  tranquillity.  Let 
no  accident  be  to  thee  a cause  of  ill- 
humor. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — Spirit- 
ual Treatise. 


Xtfiii 


§j  When  thy  friend  is  more  prosperous 
§j  than  thou,  give  thanks  to  the  Lord 
J and  think  thyself  unworthy  of  like 
| favors,  or  that  such  would  not  be  to 
\ thy  benefit. — Ven . Louis  of  Grenada 


Guide . 


XXXV. 


An  air  of  meekness  and  a modest 
i speech  are  pleasing  alike  to  God  and 


man  .—Ven.  John  Tauler — Sermons. 


r3_  <s>fe  efe>  cfc>  efc 


avvlt. 


XXV. 

In  receiving  the  Holy  Sacrament, 
the  soul  is  in  Jesus  Christ  and  Jesus 
Christ  in  the  soul,  as  the  fish  is  in 
the  sea  and  the  sea  in  the  fish. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Dialogue  112. 

XXVX • 

O Word  of  Light!  If  in  the  time  of 
Thy  Passion  I could  have  taken  upon 
my  breast  Thy  face,  so  pale,  so  bloody, 
and  so  disfigured,  I would  have  washed 
it  with  the  tears  of  my  heart. — B. 
Henry  Suso — Book  of  Wisdom , ch.  iv. 


X X V X X . 

The  fickle  love  of  men  and  their 


37 


efe  cfe  sfe 


<$*>  <qfe  gfc) 


^ thought  from  gomitticait  faints:. 

useless  conversations  destroy  fervor 
more  quickly  than  the  frost  in  spring 
nips  the  growing  bud. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Book  of  Wisdom , ch.  x. 

xxviii, 

Christ  was  raised  by  God  to  the 
glory  of  the  Resurrection,  because 
charity  and  obedience  had  humbled 
Him  to  the  death  of  the  Cross. — St. 
Thomas  Aquinas — Sum . Theol. 

xxix. 


It  is  quite  easy  to  speak,  to  write, 
and  listen  to  discourses  about  afflic- 
tions ; but  when  they  happen  to  us, 
we  find  them  difficult  to  bear. — B. 
Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Letters , 3. 


38 


gfe  gfe  <3fc>  gfo  q^So) % 


The  heart  which  does  not  possess 
Jesus  Christ  is  like  the  sheaf  without 
the  grain : it  is  tossed  about  by  temp- 
tation as  the  straw  is  swept  away  by 
the  wind. — B.  Jour dain — Letter  21. 

xxxi. 

A trick  of  the  devil  is  to  torment 
scrupulous  persons  more  at  the  holi- 
est times  and  on  the  most  solemn 
festivals. — B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual 
Discourse . 


39 


i 


^ itomtgltt  from  gomitnfaa 
faints. 


gtpril. 


i. 

receiving  some  little  attention 
ag|  from  others,  as  a drink  when 
thirsty,  or  such  like,  we  should  lovingly 
consider  the  goodness  of  our  Lord  and 
Master,  whose  wonderful  solicitude 
procures  us  this  relief. — B.  Bartholo- 
mew of  Martyrs — Comp, , part  2. 

ii. 

It  belongs  to  an  humble  heart  to  be 
docile  and  to  acquiesce  readily  in 
the  good  advice  or  admonitions  it  re- 
ceives.— Ven.  Julienne  Morel , 


40 


§tjr*U. 


***. 

Go  through  the  whole  Scripture 
and  thou  shalt  find  the  servants  of 
God,  men  and  women,  all  walking  in 
the  path  of  suffering. — St.  Antoninus 
— Letter  13. 

XV ♦ 

The  servant  of  God  draws  spiritual 
honey  from  all  he  hears,  sees,  or  reads, 
as  the  bee  extracts  from  every  flower 
the  sweets  it  carries  to  the  hive. — Ven. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , 
ch . iv. 


He  who  walks  the  path  of  humility 
has  the  short  road  to  heaven  : he  has 


41 


% thought  from  Dowinian  faints. 

wings  to  bear  him  to  Paradise ; he  is 
in  the  way  of  peace  and  perfect  tran- 
quillity.— B . Henry  Suso — Spiritual 
Discourse , 1. 

vi. 

The  devil  strives  his  utmost  to 
trouble  the  soul  and  disgust  her  with 
prayer,  because  prayer  is  her  armor 
of  defence  against  all  her  enemies. — 
B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  65. 

vii. 

As  the  stag  it  hunted  by  a pack  of 
hounds,  so  a man  is  pursued  by  the 
most  painful  temptation  the  moment 
he  begins  to  lead  a Christian  life. — 
Ven.  John  Tauler — Sermons . 


42 


gtptil. 


vi  ii. 

Vigilance  is  rendered  necessary  and 
indispensable,  not  only  by  the  dangers 
that  surround  us,  but  by  the  delicacy, 
the  extreme  difficulty  of  the  work  we 
all  have  to  engage  in — the  work  of 
our  salvation. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada 

— Guide. 

XX. 

We  should  take  counsel,  in  all  im- 
portant affairs,  with  our  superiors  or 
confessor,  never  trusting  to  our  own 
sense,  lest  the  devil  take  us  unawares. 

— Ven.  John  Tauter — Inst  it.,  ch.  iv. 

X . 

Idleness  is  hell’s  fish-hook  for  catch- 
ing souls. — St.  Thomas  Aquinas. 


<&>  gfe>  6fe> 


thought  from  Dominican  JfoiatjS. 


xt. 

Whoever  imagines  himself  without 
defect  has  an  excess  of  pride.  God 
alone  is  perfect. — St.  Antoninus — Letter 

20. 

xii. 

He  who  considers  all  he  does  as 
something  great,  is  so  blind,  that  al- 
though poor,  miserable,  and  wretched, 
he  believes  he  enjoys  an  abundance  of 
riches. — Ven.  John  Tauter , Instit .,  ch. 
in. 


44 


an  eternal  kingdom.  — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , ch.  xiv. 


XXV  • 

Armed  with  prayer,  the  Saints  sus- 
tained a glorious  warfare  and  van- 
quished all  their  enemies  ; by  prayer, 
also,  they  appeased  the  wrath  of  God 
and  obtained  from  Him  all  their  de- 
sires.— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide , 
part  2,  ch.  xxii . 

XV  « 

The  nature  of  the  world  and  of  its 
pleasures  is  to  glide  away  : whilst  one 
believes  he  is  grasping  them  they  slip 
from  his  hand  like  a snake. — B . Henry 
Suso — Spiritual  Letters . 


45 


% thought  from  gowittiaw  £aint#. 


X vt . 

He  is  truly  faithful  who,  to  keep 
the  law  of  God,  despises  both  flattery 
and  threats  ; like  Eleazar,  who  pre- 
ferred death  to  the  appearance  of 
submission  to  a tyrant. — B.  Albert  the 
Great . 


X vt  x . 

The  enemy  has  no  power  over  souls 
that  are  sighing  with  love  beneath  the 
Cross. — B.  Henry  Suso — Booh  of  Wis- 
dom, ch . xiv. 

x vixi . 


I have  never  gone  out  to  mingle 
with  the  world  without  losing  some- 
thing of  myself. — B.  Albert  the  Great. 


® g&S  6&S  g&j>  Qe 


I&ptf  i 1 . 


XtX  . 

Let  us  leave  to  God  and  to  truth 
the  care  of  our  justification,  without 
trying  to  excuse  ourselves,  and  peace 
will  truly  spring  up  within  us. — Ven. 
John  Tauter — Sermons. 

XX . 

Let  us  strive  to  attain  the  sanctity 
of  Blessed  Agnes,  and  we  shall  reach 
it,  if  we  ask  it  humbly  and  for  the  pur- 
pose of  following  the  Lamb  witherso- 
ever He  goeth. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena . 

xxi. 

He  who  is  perfumed  with  the  odor  of 
charity  may  present  himself  with  joy 
before  the  throne  of  God. — Life  of  St. 
Catherine  of  Siena. 


47 


% thought  from  gominican  faints*. 


xxn. 

Thou  hast  accomplished  a good 
work;  this  remembrance  is  in  thy 
mind  like  leaven  which  swells  thy 
thoughts:  be  careful  that  vainglory 
corrupt  not  thy  good  work. — Ven. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Guide , Boole  2. 

xxixx. 

With  the  love  of  God  we  can  obtain 
more  than  we  can  by  all  the  exercises 
and  all  the  austerities  of  penance. — 
Ven.  John  Tauter — Sermons . 

XXXV  . 

Were  we  free  to  choose  between 
the  thorns  and  flowers  along  the  road 
leading  to  glory,  it  would  be  neces- 


48 


gfe)  e%5) 

j\ 


<§ 


4 


4 

4 

4 

4 


sary  to  choose  the  thorns. — Life  of  B. 
Henry  Suso. 


XXV ♦ 


The  world  is  full  of  inconstancy  ; 
its  friendship  ceases  the  moment  there 
is  no  advantage  to  be  expected  from 
us. — Ven.  John  Tauter — Sermons. 


xxvi. 

What  is  more  uncertain  than  life  ? 
Man  may  be  compared  to  the  little 
bird  on  which  the  vulture  is  swooping 
down,  or  to  a poor  unfortunate  being 
gazing  at  the  landing  of  the  swift 
barque  which  is  to  bear  him,  forever^ 
far  from  his  native  land.  — B.  Henry 
Suso — Booh  of  Wisdom , 24. 


49 


% ©hought  from  Dominican  Jiaintis. 


xxvu. 

Many  persons  are  humbled  without 
being  humble ; nevertheless,  it  is  true 
that  humiliation  is  the  road  to  humil- 
ity.— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada. — Chris- 
tian Doctrine,  ch . xiii. 

xxvxxx. 

The  cross  is  a gift  so  precious,  that 
if  thou  couldst  remain  whole  years 
prostrate  on  the  earth,  praying  for  the 
grace  to  suffer,  thou  wouldst  not  even 
then  be  worthy  to  obtain  it. — B.  Hen- 
ry Suso — Boole  of  Wisdom,  ch.  xix.  ^ 

XXXX ♦ 

Consider  Peter,  virgin  and  martyr, 
who  combated  error  unto  death. 
When  expiring,  he  dipped  his  finger 


50 


gkjjtil. 


into  the  blood  of  his  wound  and 
stooped  to  write  on  the  ground  his 
profession  of  faith,  thus  : Credo  in 
Beum  ! “I  believe  in  God!” — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Dialogue  158. 

XXX . 

It  is  certain  that  no  flower  can  bear 
fruit  unless  it  dies.  So  a person  will 
commence  to  bear  fruit  in  Jesus  Christ 
in  proportion  as  he  renounces  himself, 
abandons  himself,  and  dies  to  himself 
and  to  all  things. — Ven.  John  Tauler — 
Instit.y  ch.  xxii. 


51 


& bought  from  gominirim 
faints. 

<qfc)  dfe  €$3  gjfc)  G$Q  <Z$3  gjfc)  g&H)  Gjfc)  I ofe)  gjfc) 


PaS. 


l^^jjlRAYER  consists,  not  in  many 
|3.sllj|  words,  but  in  the  fervor  of  de- 
sire, which  raises  the  soul  to  God  by 
the  knowledge  of  its  own  nothingness 
and  the  Divine  Goodness. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Dialogue  66. 

ii. 


He  who  hears  the  prudent  and  faith- 
ful servants  of  Jesus  Christ,  hears  God 
Himself. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena — 
Treatise  on  Perfection , 37. 


I 


52 


gfe>  C$3 


XXX  . 

There  is  no  consolation  like  his  who 
shares  the  Saviour’s  cross.  If  the  bark 
is  bitter,  the  fruit  is  of  a delicious 
flavor. — B.  Henry  Suso — Booh  of  Wis- 
dom, ch.  in, 

XV. 

Turn  away  the  eyes  of  thy  body 
and  those  of  thy  mind  from  seeing 
others,  that  thou  mayst  be  able  to 
contemplate  thyself. — St.  Vincent 
Ferrer — Spiritual  Treatise, 


V 


It  is  the  key  of  obedience  that  opens 
the  door  of  Paradise.  Jesus  Christ 
has  confided  that  key  to  his  Vicar,  the 


53 


% thought  from  gomimratt  JfoitttiS. 

Pope,  Christ  on  earth,  whom  all  are 
obliged  to  obey  even  unto  death. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Dialogue  154. 

vi* 

In  raising  human  nature  to  heaven 
by  His  Ascension,  Christ  has  given  us 
the  hope  of  arriving  thither  ourselves. 
— St.  Thomas  Aquinas — Summ.  Theol . 

vii* 

As  frost  in  May  wilts  the  flowers 
commencing  to  bloom,  so  the  love  of 
creatures  destroys  fervor  and  peace  of 
heart.  — Ven.  John  Tauter  — Sermons. 

viii* 

Wouldst  thou  know  what  thou  art  ? 


54 


/ 


Thou  art  that  to  which  thy  heart  turns 
the  most  frequently.  — Ven.  Bartholo- 
mew of  Martyrs — Comp.,  part  2,  ch.  xix. 

XX ♦ 

He  speaks  most  worthily  of  God 
who,  understanding  the  richness  of 
his  subject,  chooses  the  part  of  silence. 
— Ven.  John  Tauter — Sermons. 

X ♦ 

A beautiful  flower  is  humility,  beau- 
tiful is  patience,  obedience,  meekness, 
modesty,  and  every  other  virtue ; but 
the  most  beautiful  is  charity. — B. 
Jourdain  de  Saxe — Letter  33. 

xi. 

The  soul  cannot  remain  stationary ; 


55 


% thought  from  gomtwcan  ^aiirtsi. 

she  must  advance  or  recede.  As  she 
advances  in  virtue,  she  abandons  the 
imperfection  of  fear;  if  she  arrive  not 
at  love,  she  is  retracing  her  footsteps. 
— B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  49. 

XXX. 

Being  all  members  of  the  same 
body,  with  the  same  Head,  who  is 
Christ,  it  is  proper  that  we  should 
have  the  same  joys  and  sorrows  in 
common. — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — 
Christian  Doctrine , ch . xvi. 

xxxx. 

Confession  of  love  is  more  excellent 
than  confession  of  sin. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Boole  of  Wisdom , ch.  mm. 


56 


€fc>  <^>  _gfe> 

mm 


Pay. 


xtv. 

An  idle  man  is  like  an  uncultivated 
field  covered  with  thistles  and  thorns. 
— Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — Christian 
Doctrine , ch.  xiii. 

XV  . 

Dost  thou  love  pleasure?  Raise  thy 
heart,  see  what  sources  of  delight  are 
found  in  God,  who  is  Goodness,  in- 
cluding every  sweetness  and  every 
joy! — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide , 
Booh  J 

XVX ♦ 

Learn  to  be  silent  sometimes  for 
the  edification  of  others,  that  thou 
mayst  learn  how  to  speak  some- 


5r 


thought  ftotti  Domiwiatt  faints. 

times. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — Spiritual 
Treatise . 

XVXX ♦ 

The  heart  is  a never-empty  vase. 
No  sooner  is  the  love  of  terrestrial 
things  cast  out  than  it  is  filled  with 
the  celestial  sweetness  of  Divine  love. 
— B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  54. 

X VXX  X. 

The  trials  of  this  life  cease  to  op- 
press us  when  we  seek  them  and 
receive  them  for  the  love  of  God. — 
Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Christian 
Doctrine,  Treatise  7. 


XXX ♦ 

To  feed  on  grass  is  beneath  the  loft- 


$8 


iness  of  the  eagle ; thus  the  purified 
soul  finds  only  insupportable  bitterness 
in  earthly  > pleasures.  — Yen.  John 
Tauler — Instit .,  ch.  xii. 


XX ♦ 

The  suffering  of  a soul,  praying 
without  the  power  of  uttering  a word, 
sighing,  combating  and  lamenting, 
gains  the  victory  with  God  and  ob- 
tains from  Him  an  abundance  of 
grace.  — B.  Henry  Suso  — Spiritual 
Discourse , 4. 


X XX  ♦ 

The  world  around  us  is,  as  it  were, 
a book  written  by  the  finger  of  God  ; 
every  creature  is  a word  on  the  page. 


59 


!§V  ©feffMght  from  gomimrait  faints. 


We  should  apply  ourselves  well  to  un- 
derstand the  signification  of  the 
volume. — B.  Bartholomew  of  Martyrs 
— Comp.,  part  2,  ch.  xv. 


xxix< 


The  perfect  champion  is  he  who 
establishes  complete  dominion  over 
his  mind  by  overcoming  temptations 
and  the  inclination  of  his  nature  to 
sin.  — Ven.  John  Tauter — Inst  it. , ch. 
xix. 


xxxxx . 


See  if  our  adoration,  praise,  worship, 
and  love  be  not  merited  by  this  eternal 
Majesty,  whom  all  creatures  praise  and 


60 


p»». 


adore,  bending  low  at  His  feet.- 
of  St.  Bose  of  Lima. 

XXXV  . 


-Life 


The  more  guilty  we  are  the  greater 
must  be  our  confidence  in  Mary. 
Therefore,  courage,  timid  soul;  let 
Mary  know  all  thy  misery  and  hasten 
with  joy  to  the  throne  of  her  mercy. 
— B.  Henry  Suso — Soliloquy . 

XXV. 

Dominic  chose  the  light  of  science 
as  a special  gift.  He  took  charge  of 
preaching  and  appeared  as  an  apostle 
in  the  world,  so  zealously  did  he  sow 
the  Divine  seed,  dissipating  all  dark- 
ness and  diffusing  light  everywhere. 
— St.  Catherine  of  Siena  — Dialogue 
158. 


61 


^ ©bought  from  Huminiaw  Jfointis. 


x x v i . 

To  commence  many  things  and  not 
finish  them  is  no  small  fault ; we  must 
persevere  in  whatever  we  undertake 
with  an  upright  intention  and  accord- 
ing to  God’s  will. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Treatise  on  the  Union  of  the  Soul  with 
God . x 

xxvxx ♦ 


I would  have  thought  myself  very 
happy  could  I have  secured  one  drop 
of  the  blood  from  the  wound  in  the 
Heart  of  Jesus ! And  behold ! by  vir- 
tue of  His  Sacrament  I receive  in  my 
mouth,  my  heart,  and  my  soul,  all  this 
precious  Blood  which  the  angels 
adore ! — B.  Henry  Suso — Book  of  Wis- 
dom, ch . xxv. 


pay. 


nvm. 

Come,  dry  thy  tears,  show  content 
in  thy  heart  and  on  thy  face  ; let  not 
God,  the  angels,  nor  men  see  thee 
weep  over  thy  cross. — Life  of  B.  Henry 
Suso . 

xxxx. 

Let  us  take  good  care  lest  the  devil 
nourish  the  roots  of  presumption  un- 
der the  cloak  of  virtue  and  charity  for 
our  neighbor. — Life  of  St.  Catherine 
of  Siena. 

XXX ♦ 

Whilst  here  below,  our  actions  can 
never  be  entirely  free  from  negligence, 
frailty  or  defect;  but  we  must  not 


63 


(#>  sfe 


!§V  ehougltt  from  gowittican  faints. 


throw  away  the  wheat  because  it  is 
mingled  with  some  chaff. — Ven.  John 
Tauter — Instit. , ch.  xviii. 

xxxx. 

He  who  has  a director  by  whom  he  is 
implicitly  guided  will  arrive  at  per- 
fection sooner  and  with  more  ease 
than  he  could  possibly  do  by  himself, 
although  gifted  with  extraordinary 
intelligence  and  following  the  most 
learned  books. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — 
Spiritual  Treatise . 


64 


& from  gominirmt 


cfaintSi. 

^ ^ 

Ifune. 


||HAT  a severe  condemnation  of 
our  delicacy  and  pusillanimity 
is  the  example  of  so  many  martyrs,  who 
have  conquered  and  gained  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  by  tortures  of  every 
kind  ! — Vert.  Louis  of  Grenada  — 
Guide,  Booh  2,  ch.  xxii. 

XX ♦ 

Joy  and  sadness  succeed  each  other 
by  turns  here  below ; but  yet  a little 
while  and  the  hour  shall  sound  when 
our  joy  shall  be  full  and  can  never  be 


65 


^ thought  from  gominton 

taken  from  us. — B.  Jourdain  de  Saxe 
— Letter  17. 


Hi* 

Thou  art  in  illusion  and  in  error  truly 
pitiable,  so  long  as  thou  art  engaged 
in  self-seeking,  in  self-love  and  in 
performing  thy  actions  with  reference 
to  self. — Ven . John  Tauter — Instit.y 
ch . Hi. 


iv. 


Forward,  then,  valiant  and  indom- 
itable soldiers ! Arm  yourselves  with 
courage  and  strength.  Who  can  re- 
fuse to  carry  the  cross  in  the  train  of 
a victorious  chief? — Life  of  B.  Henry 
Suso. 


66 


We  should  behave  towards  our 
enemies  as  the  physician  towards  the 
sick  man  he  is  trying  to  cure ; he  loves 
the  person  while  he  abhors  the 
disease. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — 
Christian  Doctrine , ch.  xv. 

v%. 

Among  the  virtues,  virginity  is  the 
only  one  which  imitates  and  repro- 
duces, in  this  world,  angelical  purity. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Christian 
Doctrine,  ch.  xv. 

vxx. 

One  whose  heart  is  embittered  can 
do  nothing  but  contend  and  contra- 


67 


% ©houflUtfrom  Dominican  faints. 

diet,  finding  something  to  oppose  to 
every  remark. — Ven.  Julienne  Morel . 

via. 

Idleness  is  hell’s  great  fish-hook  for 
catching  souls . — St.  Thomas  Aquinas. 

XX. 

No  one  has  a right  to  mercy  who 
cannot  himself  show  mercy. — Ven. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , 
ch.  v. 

X. 

Sometimes  Our  Lord  takes  away  de- 
votion and  sensible  sweetness,  because 
the  person  has  lost  the  remembrance 
of  the  benefits  he  has  received. — Ven. 
John  Tauler — Instit..  ch.  mi. 


68 


XI. 

We  should  reflect  on  all  our  actions, 
exterior  and  interior,  and  before  we 
commence,  examine  well  if  we  are 
able  to  finish  them. — Ven.  John  Tauler 
— Sermons . 

x ii  • 

Inconstancy  produces  forgetfulness 
of  God,  of  truth,  and  of  all  virtue, 
and  sometimes  leads  us  so  far  astray 
that  we  no  longer  know  what  we 
ought  to  do. — Ven.  John  Tauler — 
Sermons. 

xiii* 

Whenever  Nature  works  for  the 
gratification  of  the  senses,  there  is  only 
weariness,  trouble,  sorrow,  and  men- 


#59 


% thought  from  gominicau  jiainto. 

tal  darkness. — B.  Henry  Suso — Trea- 
tise on  the  Union  of  the  Soul  with  God . 

XXV . 

The  pupil  in  the  eye  of  the  soul  is 
faith ; if  self-love  cover  it  with  a veil, 
it  can  no  longer  see.  The  eye  is  still 
in  the  soul,  but  not  the  light  of  which 
she  has  deprived  it. — St.  Catherine  of 
Siena — Dialogue  45. 

XV ♦ 

As  clouds  obscure  the  sun,  so  bad 
thoughts  darken  and  destroy  tl\e 
brightness  of  the  soul. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Ech.  Spir .,  eh.  xxvii. 

xvx. 

Take  this  to  heart : Owe  no  man 


ro 


I Mite. 


anything.  So  shalt  thou  secure 
peaceful  sleep,  an  easy  conscience,  a 
life  without  inquietude,  and  a death 
without  alarm.  — Yen.  Louis  of  Gren- 
ada— Guide. 

xvx  i. 

What  distinguishes  the  elect  from 
the  reprobate  is,  that  the  latter  rise 
not  when  they  fall ; but  the  former, 
on  the  contrary,  recover  themselves 
and  with  sighs  endeavor  to  return  to 
God. — B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Let- 
ters, 2. 

x v i i i . 

Consent  to  suffer  a slight  temporary 
pain  that  so  thou  mayst  avoid  the 
eternal  pains  which  sin  merits. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  215. 


71 


thought  from  gorntnian  plaint??. 


xtx. 

Say  not,  it  is  for  love  of  the  poor 
that  thou  heapest  up  treasure;  for 
thou  knowest  that  the  widow  of  the 
Gospel  purchased  Heaven  with  two 
little  pieces  of  money. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , ch.  xvi. 

XX. 

To  acquire  purity  of  soul,  it  is  nec- 
essary to  guard  against  passing  judg- 
ment on  our  neighbor,  or  useless 
remarks  on  his  conduct. — Life  of  St. 
Catherine  of  Siena. 

XXX . 

Preserve  purity  of  conscience  wdth 
care,  and  never  do  anything  to  sully 


72 


ftttu. 


it  or  render  it  less  agreeable  to  God. — 
St,  Thomas  Aquinas — Opusc,  68. 

xxxx  ♦ 

Give  not  thyself  too  much  to  any 
one  ; he  who  gives  himself  too  freely 
is  generally  the  least  acceptable. — B. 
Henry  Suso — Treatise  on  the  Union  of 
the  Soul  with  God, 

xxxxx. 

Happiness  cannot  last  long  ; when 
intense,  it  necessitates  a speedy 
change,  for  here  below  we  are  not  ad- 
mitted into  the  Holy  of  Holies.  — Ven, 
John  Tauler — Sermons, 

XXXV ♦ 

It  is  more  difficult  to  persevere  in 


€$5  ^ ^ 0^9  C$5  <$5  C$9  C$5  C$5  ^ C$2) 

r<3 


^ thought  from  gomminm  jlafafe:. 

good  than  to  begin  ; but  the  begin- 
ning is  useless  if  we  arrive  not  at  the 
end. — St.  Antoninus — Letter  14. 

XX  V . 

If,  when  thou  couldst  have  revenged 
thyself,  thou  hast  not  done  it,  thou 
shalt  be  more  agreeable  to  God  than 
if  thou  hadst  offered  Him  thousands 
of  weights  of  gold.  — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Spiritual  Discourse . 

xxvl. 

If  thou  hast  buried  thy  treasures  on 
earth,  hope  not  to  find  anything  in 
heaven,  whither  thou  hast  sent  noth- 
ing by  the  hands  of  the  poor.  — Yen. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine, 
ch . xv. 


74 


xxtut. 

In  time  of  temptation,  continue  the 
good  thou  hadst  begun  before  the 
temptation.  — St.  Vincent  Ferrer  — 
Spiritual  Treatise . 

xxvxxx. 

If  the  wind  shakes  the  chaff  from 
the  grain,  it  is  because  it  is  not  firmly 
attached  ; hence,  Our  Lord,  wishing 
us  to  be  firmly  attached  to  Him,  has 
united  us  to  Him  by  the  indestructible 
cement  of  His  love. — B.  Jourdain  de 
Saxe — Letter  17. 

XXXX  • 

To  die  in  a cause  so  just  as  that  of 
the  Church,  is  the  most  precious  of 


75 


^ thought  from  gomiuirau  faints;. 

all  the  graces  which  the  mercy  of  God 
deigns  to  grant  us  in  this  life. — Life  of 
St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 

XXX. 

Always  remember  thy  sins  and  the 
graces  thou  hast  received,  that  thou 
mayst  nourish  in  thy  soul  the  source 
of  true  piety  and  be  grateful. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  50. 


76 


& bought  from  gominiran 


|uls. 


t* 


j E must  be  careful  not  to  omit 
our  prayers,  confession,  com- 
munion, and  other  exercises  of  piety, 
even  when  we  find  no  consolation  in 
them. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — Spiritual 
Treatise. 


XX. 


<§ 

'<§ 

<1 

<1 

* 


O Mary,  what  is  my  joy  when  medi- 
tating on  thy  tender  charity  ! How  I 
find  myself  reanimated,  fortified,  and 
filled  with  hope  ! — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Soliloquy. 


!* 

#>■ 

* 

§> 

§ 


-77 


Correction  should  be  given  calmly 
and  with  discernment,  at  seasonable 
times,  according  to  the  dictates  of 
reason,  and  not  the  impulse  of  anger. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Christian 
Doctrine , ch.  m. 

iv. 

If  we  consider  the  number  and  ex- 
cellence of  the  virtues  practised  by 
the  Saints,  we  must  feel  the  littleness 
and  imperfection  of  our  actions. — St. 
Vincent  Ferrer — Spiritual  Life , ch.  xiv. 


Temptations  to  despair,  blasphemy, 
and  interior  shame  give  the  merit  and 


78 


prerogative  of  martyr  to  those  who  re- 
sist them. — B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual 
Discourse , 24. 

vx. 

Should  we  fall  a thousand  times  in 
a day,  a thousand  times  we  must  rise 
again,  always  animated  with  un- 
bounded confidence  in  the  infinite 
goodness  of  God. — Ven.  Louis  of  Gren- 
ada— Memorial , Treatise  4. 

vii* 

What  then,  my  heart  ? Thou  art  so 
small  that  a kite  might  devour  thee 
at  a meal,  and  yet  the  universe  cannot 
suffice  for  thee  ! Cast  thy  care  upon 
the  Lord  ; He  alone  can  satisfy  thy 
desires. — B.  Bartholomew  of  Ma/rtyrs 
— Comp.,  part  2,  ch . xxv. 


79 


thought  from  Damiaian  faints. 


viii. 

As  the  little  bird  hides  from  the 
hawk,  so  God  hides  from  the  soul  that 
is  attached  to  the  world. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Booh  of  Wisdom , ch.  xxvi. 

9 

XX. 

Contemplate  the  triumph  of  the 
martyrs  who  shed  their  blood  for 
Divine  love.  Soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ, 
be  valiant  as  they  were,  remembering 
that  a man  without  courage  is  always 
a man  without  glory. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Spiritual  Letters. 

X . 

The  safest  way  to  bring  up  children 
is  to  let  them  see  nothing  in  their 


80 


I 


He  who  despises  the  vicar  of  Jesus 
Christ,  despises  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  ; he  who  is  against  the  one,  is 
against  the  other,  for  they  are  united. 
— St.  Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  53. 


XXX ♦ 


Be  assured  that  one  great  means  to 
find  favor  when  we  appear  before  God 
is  to  have  pardoned  the  injuries 
we  received  here  below. — Yen.  Louis 
of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , ch.  v. 


81 


xxxx ♦ 

There  is  nothing  more  unreasonable 
than  to  estimate  our  worth  by  the 
opinion  of  others  ; to-day  they  laud 
us  to  the  skies,  to-morrow  they  will 
cover  us  with  ignominy. — Ven.  Louis 
of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , ch.  ii. 

XXV  . 

Many  seek  the  enjoyment  of  intelli- 
gence, few  are  simple  and  pious  at 
heart  ; the  former  desire  knowledge, 
the  latter  unite  themselves  to  God  and 
lose  themselves  in  Him. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Treatise  on  the  Union  of  the  Soul 
with  God , 2. 

XV ♦ 

If  we  possess  riches  without  having 
any  irregular  affection  for  them,  and 


82 


iMia. 


use  them  only  for  what  is  necessary,  we 
do  not  lose  poverty  of  spirit. — Saint 
Thomas  Aquinas. 

XXX. 

The  more  a mirror  is  polished  the 
better  will  it  reflect  the  light  ; the 
purer  a soul  is,  the  better  will  it 
show  forth  the  rays  and  brightness  of 
Divine  love. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada 
— Memorial , Treatise  4. 

x x x i « 

True  riches  consist  not  in  gold  or 
precious  stones,  but  in  the  virtues 
that  accompany  a good  conscience. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide. 

XX  XXX. 

Take  for  thy  counsellor  an  humble 


83 


gt  ©hought  from  Dominican  faints. 

person  with  a .pure,  upright  conscience, 
rather  than  a proud  scholar  who  has 
studied  much.— B.  Henry  Suso — Di- 
alogue 85. 

xix. 

In  difficult  and  doubtful  affairs,  be- 
take  thyself  to  God,  and  immediately 
everything  will  become  clear  and  easy. 
— B.  Henry  Suso. 

XX ♦ 

The  way  of  perfection,  like  the  road 
to  Paradise,  is  narrow  ; we  cannot  go 
along  at  our  ease  ; we  must  be  re- 
solved to  suffer  something,  and  to 
deprive  ourselves  of  little  conven- 
iences.— Ven.  Anthony  of  the  Blessed 
Sacrament — Retreat. 


84 


$ulg. 


xxi. 

He  who  enters  not  into  his  own 
heart,  at  least  once  in  the  day,  lives 
not  the  life  of  a true  Christian. — Ven. 
John  Tauler — Sermons . 

xxxx. 

In  regard  to  God,  the  heart  of  man 
is  a very  narrow  dwelling  ; He  fills  it 
completely.  To  wish  to  make  room 
for  another  is  to  expel  Him. — St. 
Thomas  Aquinas — On  Christian  Doc- 
trine, Book  iv. 

xx'xxx. 

Ho  not  suppose  that  censure  can  be 
excused  because  it  is  prefaced  by 
praise.  — Ven . Louis  qf  Grenada  — 
Guide , Book  2,  ch . xi. 


85 


<ofe)  €&5>  <!$&  <sfe>  gfe)  €$?)  €$&  <5^5  <5%5>  g$5>  g$3  q^5t)3^ 


% thought  from  gominicau  ^aintsi. 


x x i w . 

Show  thyself  kind  and  affable, 
never  familiar  ; familiarity  is  gen- 
erally followed  by  contempt. — St. 
Thomas  Aquinas — Opusc.  68. 

XXV  . 

Words  often  deceive,  but  deeds 
show  the  reality  of  love. — St.  Cather- 
ine of  Siena — Letter  224. 

X X V X . 

Leave  to  every  one  the  care  oi  his 
own  affairs,  and  disturb  not  thyself 
with  what  is  said  or  done  in  the  world. 
— St.  Thomas  Aquinas — Opusc.  68. 

xxvix. 

Prefer  the  will  of  another  to  thy, 


86 


own,  provided  the  other’s  be  good, 
even  though  thine  would  seem  to  thee 
the  more  perfect. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer 
— Spiritual  Treatise. 


xxvxxx. 

The  two  gates  for  the  entrance  of 
sin  are  the  heart  and  the  tongue. — 
Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada.  — Christian 
Doctrine , Treatise  7. 


XXXX  ♦ 

Hope  is  the  anchor  of  our  soul  ; 
where  is  the  fool  so  daring  as  to  em-. 
bark  without  it  on  the  sea  of  this  life, 
where  he  must  encounter  furious 
winds  and  threatening  storms  ? — Ven. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Guide , Boole  1. 


sr 


SMtoagltt  front  Dominican  j&titrtis. 


XXX. 

The  humble  man  is  affable,  meek, 
of  few  words  ; he  is  true  and  sincere 
in  his  answers  ; he  is  modest  and 
simple  in  his  dress  and  deportment  ; 
he  is  always  ready  without  pretence 
to  assist  his  neighbor. — Ven.  John 
Tauter — Inst  it. , ch . x. 

XXXX ♦ 

No,  never  vainglory  ; but  the  true 
glory  and  honor  of  God  ! — Life  of  St. 
Catherine  of  Siena. 


88 


m 


& ihoutjltt  from  gominmw 
£»totsi. 


u g u ^ t . 


X ♦ 

nNCREATED  Charity  of  my 
God ! thou  hast  taught  me  to 
suffer,  as  patiently  as  a lamb,  injuries, 
bad  treatment,  and  unjust  persecution. 
— St.  Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  219. 

i x ♦ 

Prudence  is  a torch  in  the  dark, 
a guide  for  the  wandering,  and  sight 
for  the  blind. — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada 
— Ech.  Spir.f  ch.  xxvi. 

Hi. 

Rest  assured  that  the  safest  pledge 


89 


% thought  from  Dominican  faints.'. 


of  favor  with  the  Sovereign  Judge  is 
the  pardon  thou  hast  granted  to  others 
for  love  of  Him. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Christian  Doctrine,  ch.  v. 


XV ♦ 

In  the  book  of  holy  charity  I have 
studied  and  learned  more  than  in  any 
other  ; in  that  volume  we  may  learn 
all  things. — Words  of  St.  Dominic. 

V ♦ 

O Mary,  dearest  to  God  in  the  uni- 
verse! Thy  beauty  is  incomparable, 
and  all  that  is  most  ravishing  in  crea- 
tures disappears  before  thee,  as  the 
glow-worm’s  light  is  quenched  by  the 
dazzling  sun. — B.  Henry  Suso — Solil- 
oquy. , 


90 


Vt. 

As  the  visible  sun  forms  its  image 
in  a highly  polished  mirror,  so  the 
Divine  sun  is  beautifully  reflected 
in  a pure  soul. — B.  Bartholomew  of 
Martyrs — Comp. , part  2. 

XXX. 

As  the  ivy  finds  from  the  tree  to 
which  it  clings  the  strength  to  climb, 
so  the  soul,  tending  to  God  with  all 
her  powers,  finds  in  Him  all  her 
strength  and  support. — Yen . Louis  of 
Grenada — Guide. 


xxxx. 


After  success  we  are  apt  to  relax 
our  vigilance  and  fervor  ; but  do 


01 


jfc  <&>  gfe  sfe_  gfc>  <sfe 


gk  ©bought  from  Jjominirau  faints:. 

thou,  after  a victory,  rest  on  thy  arms 
as  one  awaiting  the  clarion  sound  that 
calls  to  renewed  conflict. — Ven.  Louis 
of  Grenada — Guide . 

XX. 

O blindness  of  man  ! taking  little 
for  great,  and  great  for  little  ; from 
being  the  master,  thou  becomest  a 
slave  to  the  vilest  tyrant.  Sin  is 
nothingness  and  thou  returnest  to 
nothingness  ; leaving  life,  thou  giv- 
est  thyself  death. — St.  Catherine  of 
Siena — Dialogue  36. 

X. 

Contemplate  my  servant  and  martyr, 
Laurence.  He  seems  to  be,  not  on 
the  fire,  but  on  soft  and  fragrant  flow- 
ers. The  contemptible  fire  which 


92 


gk  UflUjSt 


attacked  his  body  is  extinguished  by 
the  glowing  flames  of  Divine  charity. 
— St.  Catherine  of  Siena  — Dialogue 

41. 


XX. 

It  is  not  enough  for  us  to  forbid  our 
own  tongue  to  murmur  ; we  must  al- 
so refuse  to  listen  to  murmur  ers, — 
Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada  — Christian 
Doctrine , Treatise  7. 


xii. 

Water  naturally  descends  from  the 
mountain  into  the  valley:  so  Divine 
grace  flows  naturally  into  the  hum- 
ble soul. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada  — 
Christian  Doctrine , Treatise  7. 

\ 


^ (Thought  from  Dominican 


xm. 

We  should  not  try  to  go  on  after 
our  own  fashion,  but  along  the  way 
traced  out  by  God,  the  way  of  suf- 
fering, and  avoiding  sin,  even  to 
death. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena  — 
Letter  211. 

XXV  . 

There  is  nothing  richer,  nothing 
surer,  nothing  more  agreeable  than  a 
good  conscience. — B.  Bartholomew  of 
Martyrs , Comp part  1. 

XV . 

The  soul  that  desires  to  enjoy  inti- 
mate union  with  God  must  be 
adorned  with  the  blooming  rose  of 
charity,  the  fragrant  violet  of  pro- 


gutgttst. 


found  humility,  and  the  fair  lily  of 
spotless  purity. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Booh  of  Wisdom . 

XXX. 

Let  him  who  would  be  useful  to 
others  and  edify  them  by  his  words 
take  care  to  possess  in  himself  what  he 
wishes  to  teach  ; otherwise  he  will 
not  gain  much.  — St.  Vincent  Ferrer  — 
Spiritual  Treatise. 

X XXX  . 

Serpents  have  no  poison  for  them- 
selves or  their  fellow-serpents.  Man 
poisons  his  own  soul  by  sin,  and  be- 
comes poison  for  his  neighbor  by  bad 
example  and  wicked  counsel. — Ven. 
Anthony  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament — 
Retreat. 


95 


% ©Itflugto  from  gomininw 


xvm. 

Is  it  not  folly  to  leave  your  goods 
where  you  can  never  return,  and  to 
send  nothing  to  that  place  where  you 
must  remain  forever? — Yen.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , Boole  2. 

XXX . 

Nature  provides  all  animals  with 
some  means  of  defence.  Thou  alone, 
O man  ! comest  into  the  world  naked 
and  unarmed ; so  true  it  is  that  thou 
art  born  for  peace  and  concord  ! — 
Yen,  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide . 

XX. 

Control  thy  senses,  guard  thy 
mouth,  bridle  thy  tongue,  subjugate 
thy  heart,  bear  all  provocation  with 
charity,  and  thou  shalt  perfectly  ful- 


90 


~~ f 


fil  the  will  of  God. — B.  Henry  Suso. — 
Spiritual  Discourse,  2. 

XXX . 

The  most  difficult  point  in  advanc- 
ing towards  perfection,  is  to  have  a 
good  director.  He  must  be  one 
chosen  from  a thousand.  Count  it 
one  of  the  greatest  blessings  of  this 
life,  if  thou  hast  found  one,  such  as 
God  desires. — Ven.  Anthony  of  the 
Blessed  Sacrament — Betreat. 

xxxx. 

We  easily  lose  peace  of  mind,  be- 
cause we  make  it  depend,  not  on  the 
testimony  of  a good  conscience,  but 
on  the  judgment  of  men. — B.  Bartholo- 
mew of  Martyrs — Comp.,  part  2,  ch.  xix.  { 


97 


gt  ©houflftt  from  gomimran  ^aintjs 


xxiii. 

Open  thine  ears  to  the  voices  of  na- 
ture ; thou  shalt  hear  them  in  concert 
earnestly  inviting  thee  to  love  the 
Lord.  — Ven . Louis  of  Grenada  — 
Guide , Boole  1,  ch.  Hi, 

XXXV. 

A striking  image  of  the  Divine  Wis- 
dom, Power,  and  Goodness,  may  be 
found  in  every  creature,  however  small. 
— B.  Bartholomew  of  Martyrs — Comp ., 
part  2. 

XXV  . 

Outside  of  God,  nothing  is  durable  : 
we  exchange  life  for  death,  health  for 
sickness,  honor  for  shame,  riches  for 
poverty,.  All  things  change  and  pass 


<tf)&  <c$q> 


gnugM^t. 


away.  — St.  Catherine  of  Siena  — 
Letter  28. 

X X V X ♦ 

When  nature,  resting  on  the  senses, 
acts  through  them,  there  is  nothing 
but  fatigue,  trouble,  and  mental  dark- 
ness.— B.  Henry  Suso — Treatise  on  the 
Union  of  the  Soul  with  God , 2. 

XX  XXX. 

Let  us  strive  to  retire  into  ourselves 
and  appear  only  when  truth,  not  van- 
ity, may  require  it. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Treatise  on  the  Union  of  the  Soul 
with  God , 2. 

xxxxxx. 

Let  not  the  shame  of  thy  fault  stop 
thee,  nor  make  thee  give  up  thy  salva- 


99 


©houflht  from  gomutican  faints'. 


tion  through  despair,  as  if  there  were 
no  longer  a remedy. — St.  Catherine  of 
Siena — Letter  31. 


xxix. 


f 


4 


Make  thy  reprimands  indulgent  or 
severe,  as  circumstances  require  ; but 
let  them  always  proceed  from  a heart 
filled  with  meekness,  humility,  and 
kindness.  — B.  Henry  Suso — Letter  7. 


XXX* 


God  made  Saint  Rose  so  graceful 
and  amiable,  in  order  that  she  might  j 
give  herself  to  Him.  The  roses  of 
spring  belong  not  to  the  spring,  but  i( 
to  Him  who  makes  them  grow. — Life 
of  B.  Henry  Suso . 


100 


tt  0 M $ t . 


xxxt. 

The  gifts  of  God  are  so  precious, 
that  we  must  hide  them  with  care  ; 
we  generally  hide  carefully  that  which 
we  fear  to  lose. — Ven.  Anthony  of  the 
Blessed  8a  cr ament — Retreat . 


!* 


^5 


^ from  gominirau 

Joints. 

<^>  €&i>  g%9  €^)  g&5>  <£&9  €&9  g&i)  €$9  G&5  6&5> 
~Q^t  ^ '<§£)  ' Q$d  ^3  Q^>  ofe  <j^3  <j^>  S^5>_ 

geptembtv. 


i. 

MVIL  is  often  more  hurtful  to  the 
jtfJsHl  doer  than  the  one  against  whom 
it  is  done. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena — 
Letter  33. 

ii. 

Be  assured  that  everything  thou 
givest  up  for  the  poor  is  faithfully 
preserved  for  thee  in  heaven,  where 
thou  shalt  dwell  eternally. — Yen.  Louis 
of  Grenada — Guide , Booh  2,  ch.  v. 

iii- 

Behold  the  abridgment  of  sanctity, 


10*2 


£ t JJ  t f Mt  ll  1 t . 


by  which  we  may  arrive  easily  at  the 
height  of  perfection  ; viz.,  purity  of 
heart  and  constant  remembrance  of 
God. — Ven.  John  Tauler — Instit .,  ch. 
xxv. 

iv . 

The  embraces  of  the  Lord  are  the 
spiritual  consolations,  surpassing  all  the 
joys  of  earth,  which  he  sheds  on  the 
soul  that  is  dear  to  Him. — St.  Antoni - 
nus — Letter  13. 

V. 

Since  I have  understood  that  a few 
moments  of  labor  can  purchase  an 
eternity  of  glory,  I count  all  fatigue 
light  which  may  merit  so  great  a re- 
ward.— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — 
Guide. 


103 


% thought  from  gominicait  faints. 


vt. 

The  servants  of  God  are  touched 
only  exteriorly  by  the  trials  of  this 
life.  They  are  persecuted,  but  their 
soul  is  in  peace. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Dialogue  43. 

V%%. 

An  insignificant  work,  performed 
through  obedience,  has  more  value, 
more  merit,  and  is  more  agreeable  to 
God,  than  the  most  sublime  work  per- 
formed through  self-will. — Ven.  John 
Tauler — Sermons . 

viii* 

O Mary ! vessel  of  purest  gold,  orna- 
mented with  pearls  and  sapphires, 
filled  with  grace  and  virtue,  thou 


101 


t. 


art  the  dearest  of  all  creatures  to  the 
eyes  of  Eternal  Wisdom. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Soliloquy. 

XX  . 

Let  us  not  despise,  judge,  or  con- 
demn any  one  but  ourselves ; then  our 
cross  will  commence  to  bloom  and 
bear  fruit. — Ven.  John  Tauler — Ser- 
mons. \ 

X . 

Cast  the  faults  of  others  behind  thee, 
that  thou  mayst  see  them  not  ; if  thou 
canst  not  conceal  them,  endeavor,  at 
least,  to  diminish  or  excuse  them. — 
St.  Vincent  Ferrer — Spiritual  Treatise.  ^ 


XX. 


Short  pleasures  and  long  sufferings 


105 


<31  ©bought  from  gomhncatt  ^aintjs 


are  all  that  the  world  can  give. — Yen . 
John  Tauter — Sermons . 


xxi ♦ 


No  harp  sends  forth  such  sweet 
harmonies  as  are  produced  in  the  af- 
flicted heart  by  the  holy  name  of 
Mary.  Let  all  nations  kneel  to  rever- 
ence this  holy,  this  sublime  name  of 
Mary. — B.  Henry  Suso — Soliloquy . 


XX  XX. 

Every  day  visit  the  garden  of  thy 
soul  with  the  light  of  Faith,  to  root 
up  the  thorns  which  might  choke  the 
good  grain. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena 
— Letter  224. 


ion 


£ eirttf  whet . 


xiv . 

No  person  has  more  consolation 
than  he  who  shares  the  cross  of  Jesus. 
The  bark  of  that  tree  is  bitter  but  the 
fruit  is  of  a delicious  flavor. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Boole  of  Wisdom , ch.  Hi. 


* 

4 


XV. 

Reflect  on  the  perfection  of  the  lives 
of  the  Saints,  on  the  excellence  of  their 
virtues,  and  thou  shalt  blush  at  the 
imperfection  and  languor  of  thy  life 
and  works. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — 
Spiritual  Treatise. 


#> 

* 


xvx. 

Compared  to  the  riches  and  splen- 
dor of  a just  soul,  all  worldly  honors, 
natural  graces,  and  acquired  gifts  are 


«i 


§V  thought  from  Dominican  faints. 

only  imperfections,  darkness,  misery, 
and  deformity. — Yen.  Louis  of  Gren- 
ada— Guide , Boole  1,  ch.  v . 

xvxx . 

When  thou  feelest  thyself  excited, 
shut  thy  mouth  and  chain  thy  tongue. 
— B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Discourse . ^ 

xvxxx. 

He  who  would  be  a disciple  of  Jesus 
Christ  must  live  in  sufferings  ; for, 

4 4 The  servant  is  not  greater  than  the 
Master.”  (St.  John  xiii.)  — Yen.  John 
Taulev — Instit .,  ch.  iv. 

XXX . 

In  recalling  to  mind  the  life  and 
actions  of  the  Saints,  walk  in  their 


108 


Jf  jeptnwlu*. 


footsteps,  as  much  as  possible,  and  be 
humble  thyself,  if  thou  canst  not  at- 
tain to  their  perfection. — St.  Aquinas 
— Opusc.  67. 

XX. 

Creatures  cannot  trouble  the  truly 
humble  man ; he  abases  himself  to  such 
an  extent  that  nothing  can  reach  him. 
— B.  Bartholomew  of  Martyrs — Comp., 
part  1. 

XXX . 

When  the  sky  is  free  from  clouds, 
we  can  see  more  clearly  the  brightness 
of  the  sun  ; in  like  manner  when  the 
soul  is  free  from  sin  and  the  gloom  of 
passion,  it  participates  in  the  Divine 
light. — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada. 


109 


thought  from  Kominicitn 


xxtt. 

The  cross  is  a bed  whereon  the  soul 
finds  repose,  or  a table  at  which,  in 
peace  and  calm,  she  tastes  the  nourish- 
ment and  fruit  of  patience. — St.  Cath- 
erine of  Siena — Letters. 

xxxxx. 

No  devoted  mother  would  more 
promptly  snatch  from  the  devouring 
flames  the  son  she  had  borne  in  her 
womb,  than  God  hastens  to  assist  a 
penitent  soul.  — B.  Henry  Suso  — 
Spiritual  Discourse , 4. 

XXXV . 

O Queen  of  heaven  and  earth!  the 
universe  would  perish  before  thou 
couldst  refuse  assistance  to  one  who 


110 


£ t p \ 1 m b t v . 


invokes  thee  from  the  depth  of  his 
heart. — B.  Henry  Su80 — Soliloquy . 

XXV  . 

The  devil  attacks  us  at  the  time  of 
prayer,  more  frequently  than  at  other 
times  ; his  object  is  to  make  us  weary 
of  prayer. — B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue 
65. 

x x v i ♦ 

God  sometimes  withdraws  from  the 
soul  all  His  sweetness  and  consolation 
without  depriving  it  of  grace. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena. 

xxvii. 

Is  it  not  folly  to  leave  thy  goods 
where  Thou  canst  never  return,  and 


ill 


<qfc  £%L.Jg fe  <&>  &&  ^ C^?)^ 


gt  thought  from  Dominican  ^aintjs. 

send  nothing  forward  to  that  place 
where  thou  shalt  abide  forever  ? — Ven. 
Louis  of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine, 
Boole  2. 

' X X V X X X . 

The  servants  of  God  judge  well  of 
everything,  because  they  lean  on 
Him  who  is  the  Supreme  Good  ; the 
wicked,  on  the  contrary,  see  evil  in 
all,  because  their  principle  is  evil. — 
B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  93. 

XXXX. 

We  picture  the  angels  with  wings, 
not  because  they  really  have  such,  but 
to  signify  the  promptness  of  then- 
obedience  to  the  Divine  will. — Si. 
Antoninus — Letter  11. 


112 


gfe  ffe  egg # 


$ cjjtcmlmr. 


Find  me  a single  creature  at  rest  in 
this  vast  universe.  Would  it  not  be 
a shame  for  man  to  live  in  idleness, 
for  which  all  creatures  have  an  in- 
stinctive horror. — Ven.  Louis  of  Gren- 
ada— Guide , Boole  2. 


113 


<5fc  €&> 


% ©Jwugltt  from  iominiran 
^aitttis. 


Utotur, 


SLWAYS  give  good  example, 
teach  virtue  by  word  and 
action ; example  is  more  eloquent  than 
any  discourse. — B.  Henry  Smo. 

ii. 

Spirit  of  love,  I conjure  thee  to  re- 
main with  me ! Abandon  me  not  whilst 
I live  in  this  valley  of  tears  ! — Life  of 
B.  Henry  Suso. 

iii* 

Devotion  to  the  Holy  Rosary  is  a 


114 


j 


sign  of  predestination. — Ven.  Alain  de 
la  Roche. 


XV ♦ 

Putting  the  opinion  of  the  world 
aside,  what  is  gold  ? what  is  silver  ? 
A little  yellow  or  white  dust  that  owes 
its  value  to  the  foolish  ideas  or  prej- 
udices of  men. — Ven.  Louis  of  Gren- 
ada— Guide. 

V . 

Jesus  Christ,  the  Master  of  humility, 
reveals  only  to  the  humble  the  truth 
He  hides  from  the  proud. — St.  Vincent 
Ferrer — Treatise  on  Silence. 

vi. 


The  humble  are  always  at  peace, 


ft®* 


115 


% thought  from  Dominican  ^aint-s. 

because  they  take  in  good  part  what- 
ever is  said  or  done. — St.  Vincent 
Ferrer. 

vxx . 

My  beloved  brethren,  let  us  labor 
all  we  can  for  the  Church  of  Christ  ; 
she  is  our  mother  in  the  Faith. — Prayer 
of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena . 

viii. 

To  renounce,  for  the  love  of  God, 
such  trifles  as  castles,  lands,  gold,  and 
silver,  is  nothing  ; what  we  must  do, 
is  to  renounce  ourselves,  exteriorly 
and  interiorly,  spiritually  and  corporal- 
ly.— Ven.  John  Tauter — Sermons. 

ix. 

The  martyrs  were  not  differently  con- 


116 


stituted  from  us  ; their  bodies  were 
kneaded  from  the  same  slime,  they 
were  sustained  by  the  same  God,  they 
expected  the  same  glory  ; but  they 
knew  how  to  will! — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Guide . 

X . 

It  was  a penitent  to  whom  the 
cross  was  not  an  old  trophy  hung  on 
the  wall,  but  a sacred  object  of  daily 
imitation. — St.  Thomas  Aquinas. 

xi. 

The  love  of  God  is  a source  of  de- 
light, but  the  avenues  leading  to  it  are 
steep  and  rocky ; to  arrive  at  and  re- 
main in  this  love  we  must  be  continu- 
ally at  war  with  self. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Guide. 


117 


g$5)  <E$5  g%5)  (qjfc)  €$5)  (q^>  _J 

f]  gt  ©ftmtglrt  from  Doauairatt  faints, 
xii. 

Let  nothing  trouble  thee,  my  soul  ; 
neither  the  world,  nor  thy  friends,  nor 
happiness,  nor  adversity,  nor  things 
present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  thy 
neighbor,  nor  thyself. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Spiritual  Discourse , 4. 

X X X X . 

Virtue  traverses  a steep  and  rugged 
road.  If  not  supported  at  every  mo- 
ment she  will  assuredly  succumb. — 
Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide. 

X XV  . 

Docility  and  easy  acquiescence  with 
good  advice  are  the  signs  of  an  hum- 
ble heart. — Ven.  Julienne  Morel. 


118 


XV  . 


Saint  Teresa  suffered  eighteen  years 
from  dryness  of  spirit.  That  was  the 
work  of  God,  who  thus  treats  great 
souls  in  order  to  make  their  virtue 
take  deeper  root. — Ven.  Anthony  of 
the  Blessed  Sacrament . 

X vx . 

The  perfect  athlete  is  he  who,  sur- 
mounting his  sinful  inclinations  and 
temptations,  exercises  a perfect  control 
over  his  mind. — Ven.  John  Tauler — 
Instil .,  ch . xix. 

x v ii . 

Fly  from  useless  conversation  : it 
makes  us  lose  time,  and  with  time 


119 


gt  thought  from  gominian  faints. 


the  spirit 
Aquinas. 


of  devotion.—  ^.  Thomas 


xvxxx. 


Thou  hast  performed  a good  action ; 
this  remembrance  remains  in  thy  mind 
like  leaven  to  raise  thy  thoughts ; take 
care  that  vainglory  spoil  not  thy  work. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide. 

XXX. 

We  should  apply  ourselves  with 
true  and  holy  zeal  to  understand  our 
nothingness,  and  acknowledge  that  all 
we  have  we  hold  from  God. — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  213. 

XX. 

Strange  argument  of  the  sinner  : 


120 


©rtol*  tx . 


God  is  good,  therefore  I can  be  still 
more  wicked ! It  seems  to  me  that 
common  sense  would  join  with  the 
spirit  of  God  in  the  reverse;  viz., 
God  is  good,  therefore  He  merits  un- 
dying love. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada 
— Guide,  Booh  1,  ch.  xxviii. 

XXX. 

The  path  of  pleasure  is  not  that  of 
Jesus  crucified  ; the  Saints  have  not 
followed  it,  and  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  not  to  be  bought  or  sold  by 
pleasure. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena — 
Letter  101. 

xxii. 

Would  we  love  God  ? In  Jesus 
Christ  we  find  His  infinite  perfections. 
Would  we  love  humanity  ? Jesus 


121 


^ thought  from  Humiitican  jlaitofei. 

Christ  has  its  inexpressible  purity.  — 
Prayer  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena, 

xxxxx. 

We  should  grieve  to  see  no  account 
made  of  time,  which  is  so  precious ; to 
see  it  employed  so  badly,  so  uselessly, 
for  it  can  never  be  recalled.  — B. 
Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Discourse , 5. 

XXXV  . 

There  are  three  kinds  of  love  : the 
first  two  are  deceitful,  the  third  alone 
is  true.  The  first  is  inspired  solely 
by  profit  ; the  -second  by  pleasure  ; 
but  the  third  makes  us  love  our  neigh- 
bor for  his  own  welfare. — St.  Thomas 
Aquinas — Charity , ch.  v. 


122 


Envy  is  like  the  worm  engendered 
in  the  wood,  which  commences  its 
ravages  in  the  very  place  which  gave 
it  life  ; so  envy  commits  its  crime 
and  entails  destruction  in  the  heart 
which  gave  it  birth,  and  not  on  the 
person  who  is  its  object.—  Ven.  Louis 
of  Grenada — Christian  Doctrine , ch . 
xvi. 

X X vx. 

God  often  permits  our  soul  to  re- 
main barren  in  darkness  and  torment, 
to  awake  in  us  a holy  solicitude  and 
make  us  advance  in  virtue. — Life  of 
St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 

xxvxx. 

The  cross  is  the  only  ladder  to  Para- 


123 


dise ; without  the  cross  that  ascent  is 
impossible. — St.  Bose  of  Lima. 

xxvxxx. 

Whoever  believes  himself  without 
defect,  has  too  much  pride  ; God 
alone  has  all  perfection. — St.  Anto- 
ninus— Letter  20. 

xxxx. 

Our  Lord  never  grants  His  grace  to 
him  who,  having  within  reach  a man 
capable  of  instructing  and  directing 
him,  neglects  this  powerful  means  of 
salvation. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — Spir- 
itual Treatise. 

XXX . 

If  it  was  necessary  that  Christ 


124 


© ( t o b t x , 


should  suffer  and  so  enter,  by  the 
cross,  into  the  kingdom  of  His  Father, 
no  friend  of  God  should  shrink  from 
suffering  also. — Ven.  John  Tauler — 
Sermons. 

XXXX ♦ 

If  thou  would st  glory,  let  it  be  in 
the  Lord,  and  that  by  referring  every- 
thing to  Him  and  giving  to  Him  all 
the  honor  and  glory. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada — Christian  Doctrine,  ch.  xiii. 


125 


^ iftouglti  from  gominiran 
faints. 


*♦ 

| HE  example  of  the  Saints  is 
proposed  to  every  one,  so  that 
the  great  actions  shown  us  may  en- 
courage us  to  undertake  smaller  things. 
— Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — Christian 
Doctrine,  Treatise  7. 


ii. 


Prayer  is  not  enough  to  deliver  the 
souls  from  Purgatory.  The  Blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  alone  can  extinguish  the 
flames  which  devour  them. — Life  of 
B.  Henry  Suso . 


126 


U<r  vt  mbe*. 


1 1 1. 

Reformation  of  life  is  the  most  solid 
assurance  we  can  have  of  justification. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide , 
Boole  1,  ch.  v. 

XV  . 

i 

Every  one  should  make  progress, 
acquire  merit,  and  practise  virtue  dur- 
ing his  life ; no  reward  can  be  gained 
by  remaining  inactive. — Ven . John 
Tauler — Sermons . 


Why  remain  thus  sad  and  idle  ? 
Why  exhaust  thyself  in  the  anguish  of 
melancholy ! Have  courage,  arouse, 
do  violence  to  thyself,  meditate  on  the 
passion  of  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt 


127 


% 


% (Thought  from  gumittitau  JFaintjS. 

overcome  thy  sorrow. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Spiritual  Discourse , 4. 

vi* 

The  least  degree  of  grace  suffices  to 
triumph  over  the  devil  and  all  the  sins 
of  the  world. — St.  Thomas  Aquinas. 

vii* 

Think  not  that  a preface  of  praise 
will  excuse  thy  fault  in  passing  cen- 
sure.— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada—  Guide , 
Boole  2^  dh.  .cz. 

V XXX. 

The  heart  that  triumphs  over  ava- 
rice, frees  itself  from  all  occasion  for 
unseasonable  solicitude ; but  the  heart 
enslaved  by  avarice  can  never  offer  a 


128 


fcjfc)  <bfa  <3fc)  <^o)  <$§>  gfo  <$Q)  <$£>  ($Q  <$$  <qj&  0 ^5j)'%. 

. - . 

Umnetato**. 

pure  prayer. — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada 
— Christian  Doctrine,  ch.  xvi. 


XX ♦ 

Tiiey  are  in  glory,  we  in  sorrow ; 
they  triumph,  we  are  fighting;  they 
rejoice  in  their  country  and  we  are 
sighing  in  exile. — B.  Jourdain  de  Saxe 
— Letter  16. 

X . 

Death  often  inspires  terror  and  an- 
guish: many  tremble  at  its  approach, 
because  many,  during  life,  neglect  to 
prepare  themselves  for  death. — B. 
Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Letters , 6. 

XX. 

Sanctity  and  perfection  consist  not 


<^T  G$3  G^’)gS 


0 <&>  <&>  <&>  <#  <#>  <^>  <&>  <5%5>  q^So)%% 


I 


^©hoMflhtfwm  gowittiatt  faints. 

in  fine  words,  but  in  good  actions. — 
B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Letters,  6. 

xii. 

When  in  prayer,  have  always  the 
thought  of  God  present  before  thee, 
and  thou  shalt  be  like  an  immovable 
pillar,  against  which  all  the  attacks 
and  railleries  of  the  devil  break  them- 
selves. — Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada  — 
Christian  Doctrine,  ch.  xoii. 

xiii . 

Always  give  good  example,  teach 
virtue  by  word  and  action  ; example 
is  more  powerful  than  discourse. — B. 
Henry  Suso. 

XXV • 

O Queen  of  heaven  and  earth,  thou 


130 


fl  a v £ m b e v . 


art  the  gate  of  Mercy  ever  open,  never 
closed  ; the  universe  must  perish  be- 
fore he  who  invokes  thee  from  his  heart 
is  refused  assistance. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Soliloquy,  67. 


XV . 

Sometimes  God  leaves  us  for  a long 
time  unable  to  effect  any  good,  that 
we  may  learn  to  humble  ourselves,  and 
never  to  glory  in  ourselves.  — St.  Vin- 
cent Ferrer — On  Purity  of  the  Heart. 


xvx. 

I wish  thee  to  love  all  creatures,  for 
all  are  worthy  of  love.  Everything,  sin 
excepted,  was  made  by  the  Sovereign 
Goodness. — B.  Henry  Suso. 


131 


^ ©bought  from  Dominican  faints. 


xv**. 

As  a vessel  with  a good  pilot  sails 
prosperously  and,  with  the  help  of 
God,  generally  arrives  in  port,  so  the 
soul,  directed  by  a good  pastor,  arrives 
in  heaven,  notwithstanding  the  num- 
ber of  its  iniquities. — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada . 

XV XXX. 

Christ  Himself  guides  the  bark  of 
Peter;  for  this  reason  it  cannot  perish, 
although  He  sometimes  seems  to  sleep. 
— St.  Antoninus — Letter  21. 

XXX . 

Ail  that  God  gives  us  and  all  that 
He  permits  in  this  world,  have  no 


other  end  than  to  sanctify  us  in  Him. 
— Life  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 


XX ♦ 

The  truly  humble  man  dares  not 
raise  his  desires  to  the  extraordinary 
favors  God  sometimes  grants  to  His 
elect:  because  the  humble  man  has 
such  contempt  for  himself  he  would 
not  believe  himself  worthy. — B.  Albert 
the  Great. 


XXX ♦ 

Humility,  modesty,  sobriety,  purity, 
piety,  and  prudence,  with  meekness, 
ornament  the  soul  and  make  us  live  on 
earth  a truly  angelic  life. — B.  Jourdain 
de  Saxe — Letter  16. 


183 


As  the  frost  of  spring  time  destroys 
the  flowers  which  are  the  promise  of 
fruit  to  the  trees,  so  earthly  affections 
extinguish  Divine  love  and  deprive 
us  of  eternal  happiness. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Spiritual  Discourse , 5. 


Forget  not  that  nature  insinuates 
itself  everywhere  and  seeks  itself  in 
all  things ; in  the  practice  of  virtue, 
in  the  soul,  and  even  in  God  Himself, 
so  disorderly  is  the  love  it  has  for  it- 
self.— Yen.  John  Tauler — Sermons. 


Let  no  one  feel  secure,  no  matter 


134 


must  always  preserve  a holy  fear,  for 
those  who  rely  on  themselves  perish 
miserably. — B.  Henry  Suso —Dialogue 
145. 

XXV  . 

Couldst  thou  see  the  beauty  of  a 
reasonable  soul  thou  wouldst  sacrifice 
thy  life  a thousand  times  to  secure  its 
salvation  ; nothing  in  this  material 
world  can  be  compared  to  its  beauty. 
— Life  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena . 

X XV  X. 

Pride  is  a supreme  poverty  of  soul 
that  thinks  itself  rich  in  its  nakedness, 
and  believes  it  is  in  light  when  sur- 
rounded by  darkness.  — Ven.  Louis  of 
Grenada. 


> (2$  "e$2> 


135 


<^a  <^s>  <5fc>  <$$_&£>  dfc  dfc  <afc>  dfe 


% (thought  from  gomtnicaa  faints;. 

xxvit. 

Mercy  without  justice  is  like  balm 
on  a wound  that  needs  to  be  cauter- 
ized ; if  we  use  balm  before  burning 
the  wound  it  will  corrupt  rather  than 
heal. — Life  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 

x x v x i i ♦ 

To  a useless  question  we  should  an- 
swer only  by  silence. — St.  Vincent 
Ferrer — Treatise  on  Silence. 


xxxx. 

He  who  hates  his  neighbor,  hates 
himself,  because  hatred  deprives  us  of 
Divine  charity. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena 
— Letter  32. 


136 


Uuvcmlrcc 


xxx 


4 


Raise,  oh,  raise  thy  heart  and  thy 
love  towards  the  sweet  and  most  holy 
cross  which  sweetens  every  pain  ! — St. 
Catherine  of  Siena — Letter  215. 


> 

I* 


r 

P 

P 

> 

i* 

1* 

i 


137 


g(c3^p  gfe> 


^ ©bought  (rout  Dominium 
.faints:. 


e$5  ^ g$d  ^ ejs>  &tp  o$S  ^ <=59 

Qetembtt. 


i. 

Il'Ill^®  world’s  adorers  hide  their 
fli.Bgl  deformities,  and  cover  with  a 
hypocritical  splendor  whatever  is  crim- 
inal and  misshapen.  Tear  off  the 
mask  and  they  are  hideous  monsters. — 
B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Letters , 3. 

ii. 


Ten  souls  who  enjoy  the  sweetness 
of  grace  will  fall  into  sin  sooner  than 
one  soul  in  affliction. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Booh  of  Wisdom , ch.  xix. 


1* 

§> 

1* 


18 8 


jfe  <&>  <&>  <&>  <^> 

g)  jertfmftet. 


I 


XXX  . 

Words  are  inefficacious  if  the  life  be 
not  conformed  to,  or  even  better  than 
the  teaching. — St.  Vincent  Ferrer — 
Spiritual  Treatise. 

XV. 

When  we  hear  good  said  of  any  one, 
we  experience  love  for  him.  Thus,  in 
discoursing  of  God,  or  listening  to  His 
word,  we  are  inflamed  with  His  love.  — 
St.  Thomas  Aquinas. — Opusc.  on  Char - 
ity,  ch . Hi. 


V ♦ 

Alas ! It  is  hard  to . leave  what  we 
love,  and  to  detach  our  hearts  from  it ; 
but  it  will  be  much  harder  to  bear  the 


139 


% thought  from  gaminicim  faints'. 


torment  of  Purgatory  or  the  flames  of 
hell. — B.  Henry  Suso — Spiritual  Dis- 
course, 5. 


XX. 

I would  prefer  a thousand  times  to 
be  blackened  by  the  calumnies  of  men, 
and,  being  innocent,  to  be  accused  of 
the  most  enormous,  most  horrible 
crimes,  than  to  be  guilty  before  God 
of  the  slightest  fault. — Ven.  John 
Tauler — Instit .,  ch.  xxvii. 

XXX . 

He  who  loves  God  receives  all  that 
happens  to  him,  as  coming  from  God, 
with  love  and  meekness. — Ven.  John 
Tauler — Sermons. 


140 


§tttmbtx. 


vixx. 

O Mary  ! vessel  of  purest  gold,  orna- 
mented with  pearls  and  sapphires, 
filled  with  grace  and  virtue ! O 
ravishing  bouquet  of  roses  and  lilies ! 
thou  art  dearer,  in  the  eyes  of  Eternal 
Wisdom,  than  all  other  created  tilings. 
— B.  Henry  Suso — Soliloquy. 


XX. 


After  the  flower  comes  the  fruit: 
we  receive,  as  the  reward  of  our  fa- 
tigues, an  increase  of  grace  in  this 
world,  and  in  the  next,  the  eternal 
vision  of  God. — St.  Catherine  of  Siena 
— Letter  33. 


X . 

The  heart  of  man  is  a very  narrow 


141 


& ©bought  from  gominirau  JfointiS. 

dwelling  for  God ; He  fills  it  so  entirely, 
that,  to  wish  to  admit  another  is  to 
drive  Him  out. — St.  Thomas  Aquinas 
— On  Christian  Doctrine,  Boole  4. 

xi. 

He  who  has  charity  bestows  his 
goods  on  the  unfortunate;  but  he 
who  thinks  he  has  charity  and  keeps 
his  goods,  deceives  himself  with  vain 
illusions.  — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada — 
Christian  Doctrine,  ch.  xvi. 

xii. 

Charity  requires  us  always  to  have 
compassion  on  human  infirmity. — 
Life  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena. 

xiii. 

In  vain  men  try,  they  can  never  find, 


142 


in  creatures,  sincere  affection,  perfect 
joy,  or  true  peace. — B.  Henry  Suso — 
Spiritual  Discourse , 5. 

XXV  . 

Would  it  not  be  unreasonable  to 
judge  others  when  we  ourselves  fall 
into  the  same  faults  ? — St . Catherine  of 
Siena — Letter  53. 

XV. 

Let  us  love  in  our  enemies  what 
God  has  given  them,  and  hate  what 
is  the  effect  of  the  malice  and  deceit 
of  the  devil. — Yen.  Louis  of  Grenada 
— Christian  Doctrine , ch.  xvi. 

xvx. 

It  is  a great  virtue  to  prevent  evil 


145 


speaking  ; it  is  still  greater  to  hinder 
it  against  those  who  have  offended  us. 
— Ven.  Louis  of  Grenada — Guide , Booh 
2,  ch,  xi. 

xvxx. 

Peace  and  joy  are  fruits  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  no  can  enjoy  them  until 
he  is  entirely  devoted  to  God. — B. 
Henry  Suso — Nine  Bocks . 

XV  XXX. 

God  became  man,  that  man  might 
become  God.  But  how  can  man  be- 
come God?  By  a virtuous  life,  by 
which  God  dwells  in  man. — St.  Anto- 
ninus— Letter  3. 

XXX. 

If  thine  eye  would  see,  thine  ear 


144 


JUcemtr  ev. 


hear,  and  thy  heart  be  occupied  with 
everything,  thy  soul  would  also  be 
distracted  by  everything.  — Ven . John 
Tauler — Sermons. 

XX . 

Shun  useless  conversation  ; we  lose 
in  it  both  time  and  the  spirit  of  de- 
votion.— St.  Thomas  Aquinas — Opusc. 
68. 

XXX . 

Winter  is  in  the  heart,  when,  cold 
and  hard,  it  has  no  more  relish  for 
grace,  or  God,  or  Divine  things. — Ven. 
John  Tauter — Sermons. 

xxxx. 


There  is  nothing  like  Divine  praise 


145 


<o$5  €&>  ■j&S  <5%3  sfe)  6%5  g&3  (^S  gj^)  q,. 

^ thought  from  Dominican  faints. 

to  enlighten  the  understanding, 
sweeten  the  cross,  banish  sadness,  and 
ennui , and  make  the  soul  tranquil  and 
happy.  — B.  Henry  Suso  — Book  of 
Wisdom , ch.  xxviii. 

xxxxx. 

Persons  afflicted  with  scruples  are 
the  most  favored  with  Divine  love  and 
the  most  certain  to  arrive  at  heaven ; 
because  by  supporting  their  trials  with 
patience  and  humility,  they  live  in 
continual  Purgatory. — B.  Henry  Suso 
— Spiritual  Discourse , 4. 

XXXV. 

How  many  poor  persons  in  the 
world  think  themselves  happy  in  hav- 
ing enough  bread  and  water!  Would 
it  be  reasonable  for  thee  to  use  the 


146 


-9 1 c c m Ik  s x 


Divine  favors  as  food  for  sensuality? — 
Yen . Louis  of  Grenada — Guide . 

XXV  . 

O abyss  of  charity!  We  were  made 
to  Thy  image,  and  Thou  hast  made 
Thyself  to  ours,  by  uniting  Thyself  to 
man  and  hiding  Thy  Divinity  under 
the  miserable  flesh  of  Adam,  and  for 
what?  For  love. — St.  Catherine  of 
Siena— Dialogue  13. 

xx  vi  ♦ 

He  is  too  weak  a soldier  who  takes 
to  flight  at  the  first  sound  of  battle. 
Fight ! If  thou  shouldst  fall  in  the 
combat,  rise  again  quickly  and  begin 
anew,  but  never  despair. — B.  Henry 
Suso — Spiritual  Letters , 2. 


147 


€$S)  €$$)  €$D  (c$5)  (E$5)  €$5)  (c$3) 


§1  ©lumtjlit  from  Dominican  Jiainto. 


XXVU. 

Nothing  created  has  ever  been  able 
to  satisfy  the  heart  of  man.  God 
alone  can  fill  it  infinitely.—^.  Thomas 
Aquinas — Faith , ch.  xv. 

xxvxxx. 

Here  below,  joy  and  sorrow  succeed 
each  other  by  turns ; but  yet  a little 
while,  and  the  hour  shall  sound  when 
our  joy  shall  be  full  and  no  one  can 
deprive  us  of  it. — B.  Jourdainde  Saxe 
— Letter  17. 

XXX  X . 

God  is  the  supreme  strength,  forti- 
fying those  who  place  their  trust  and 
confidence  in  Him. — St.  Catherine  of 
Siena — Letter  33. 


148 


xxx. 

Many  pray  more  with  the  lips  than 
from  the  heart.  They  think  only  of 
reciting  a certain  number  of  Paters, 
They  place  all  their  piety  in  the  simple 
words.  We  must  not  do  so  ; there  is 
little  fruit  to  be  gathered  from  it. — 
B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  66. 

XXXX . 

Time  is  but  a period ; time  passes 
like  the  lightning’s  flash;  suffering 
passes  with  time,  suffering  is  then  very 
small. — B.  Henry  Suso — Dialogue  54. 


149 


A THOUGHT  FROM  ST.  FRANCIS  OF 

ASSISI,  and  his  Saints,  for  Every  Day  of  the  Year. 
Translated  from  the  French  by  Miss  MARGARET 
A.  COLTON.  With  a steel-plate  Frontispiece,  32mo, 

cloth, 50  cents. 

The  voice  of  the  Supreme  Pontiff  has  so  stirred  the 
devotion  of  the  faithful  for  the  Seraph  of  Assisi  and  his 
“Army  of  Saints”  that  the  publishers  are  encouraged  to 
issue  this  little  book  in  the  hope  that  it  will  prove  oppor- 
tune and  acceptable. 

A THOUGHT  FROM  ST.  ALPHONSUS, 

For  Every  Day  of  :he  Year.  Translated  from  the 
French  by  ANNA  T.  SADLIER.  With  a steel-plate 

Frontispiece.  32mo,  cloth, 50  cents. 

As  a memorial  of  the  great  Saint’s  Centennial,  this 
little  book  ought  to  be  heartily  welcomed  by  the  faithful. 

THOUGHTS  FROM  DOMINICAN  SAINTS, 

For  Every  Day  4n  the  Year.  Translated  from  the 
French  by  a Sister  of  Mercy.  With  a steel-plate  Frontis- 
piece. 32mo,  cloth 50  cents. 

MAXIMS  AND  COUNSELS  OF  ST.  FRAN- 
CIS DE  SALES,  for  Every  Day  of  the  Year.  Trans- 
lated from  the  French  by  Miss  ELLA  McMAHON. 
With  a steel-plate  Frontispiece.  32mo,  cloth,  50  cents. 
This  collection  is  like  the  inner  life  of  the  Saint  un- 
consciously written  by  himself.  These  counsels  have  been 
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Doctor  of  the  C /lurch. 

A THOUGHT  OF  ST.  TERESA’S, 

For  Every  Day  in  the  Year.  Translated  from  the  French 
by  Miss  ELLA  McMAHON.  With  a steel-plate 

Frontispiece.  32010,  extra  cloth, 50  cents. 

This  little  book  contains  the  most  precious  thoughts  of 
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and  to  the  point,  these  thoughts,  it  is  hop  d,  may  soon 
become  familiar  to  the  lips  of  American  Catholics. 


BENZIGER  BROTHERS,  New  York,  Cincinnati,  and  St.  Louis. 


OR, 

The  Church  of  the  Catacombs, 

BY 

SIS  EMINENCE  CARDINAL  WISEMAN. 

A Historical  Picture  of  The  Sufferings  of 
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Dionysius,  etc. 

ILLUSTRATED  EDITION. 

WITH  A PREFACE  BY 

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One  Angel  More 

In  Heaven. 

With  Letters  of  Condolence  and  of  Consolation 

By  St.  Francis  de  Sales 

AND  OTHERS. 

Translated  from  the  French  by  M.  A.  M. 


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“ We  do  not  sufficiently  remember  our  dead.J# 

St.  Francis  de  Sales. 

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little  Month  of  the  Souls  in  Purgatory. 

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MISS  ELLA  MeMAHON. 

Supplemented  by  many  Prayers  for  the  Suffering 
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The  author’s  aim  is  particularly  to  console,  to 
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the  Calendars  for  the  months  printed  in  black  and  red, 
making  it  just  the  book  for  winter  evenings. 

BENZIGER  BROTHERS,  New  York,  Cincinnati*  and  St.  Louis. 


' • V1 


